UN, Partners Seek U.S.$7 Billion Aid For Horn of Africa

More than 43 million people across Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia continue to suffer through one of the worst droughts in recent history, caused by five consecutive seasons of poor rains.

Years of conflict and insecurity have sparked mass displacement, while skyrocketing food prices and most recently, the fighting in Sudan, have compounded the situation.

More than 20 aid agencies on Monday, May 22, 2023 called on global donors to address the impact of climate change by making financial pledges required to fully fund the humanitarian response in the region.

The agencies said the funding will help address immediate and long-term needs across Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, where millions of people are trapped in a devastating cycle of hunger and displacement.

The pledging event was convened by the UN and Italy, Qatar, the UK and the United States, in collaboration with the three affected countries.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he saw the devastating impact of the drought first-hand during recent visits to Kenya and Somalia.

"People in the Horn of Africa are paying an unconscionable price for a climate crisis they did nothing to cause," he said.

"We owe them solidarity. We owe them assistance. And we owe them a measure of hope for the future. This means immediate action to secure their survival. And it means sustained action to help communities across the Horn adapt and build resilience to climate change."